A Glance at Wyckoff School Board Candidates

The composition of the Wyckoff Board of Education will be vastly different after voters go to the polls on Tuesday.

Residents are tasked with electing three members to the seven-member body, which recently saw the addition of two appointed members (Lisa Martone and Anthony Robert Francin) after March resignations. Regardless of voter desire, the board will lose three experienced members, as incumbents Daniel Moynihan (board president), Raymond Hovey (vice president) and Danielle Swenson decided against trying to extend their tenure.

Voters, however, will have limited choices when going to the polls, which are open from 2 to 9 p.m. at Eisenhower Middle School and Lincoln, Coolidge and Sicomac elementary schools. Only two residents are running for the three, three-year terms that are available; voters can write in any resident to fill the third full seat.

A glance at the candidates:

CATHERINE RUNGE

• Personal: Runge is a five-year resident whose three children attend the public schools. She is managing director at Advanced Sales Training Solutions, a real estate sales and consulting firm.
• Activities: Runge is the Lincoln Elementary School's parent liaison to the Board of Education. She previously served as treasurer of the Wyckoff Newcomers and Neighbors club.
• Why She's Running: As an active mother, Runge is well-acquainted with the school system and Board of Education and has said she views board membership as the "next step" in her civic involvement. She sees the challenges the board faces in terms of funding as an opportunity to lead and make the prudent choices for the good of the entire community.

JILL MORTIMER

• Personal: Mortimer is a nine-year resident with a son at Sicomac Elementary School. She serves as the supervisor of curriculum and instruction in Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Upper Saddle River and Northern Highlands Regional High School and is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership.
• Activities: She has served as the Sicomac PTO's liaison to the school board and is active in Scouting and the Indian Trail Club.
• Why She's Running: Mortimer believes her experience as an educator, supervisor and volunteer within the district gives her unique perspective on the challenges faced by all interested parties. She hopes to represent the entire community and would like to see the board concentrate on increasing transparency so that all feel they have a stake in the success in the district. Mortimer believes the board must focus on continuing to seek ways to serve the entire student population while dealing with funding challenges.

WRITE-INS

At least two residents, Diane Sobin and Tom Rousseau, have announced their intentions to seek support as write-in candidates for the third available seat, although voters are free to write in any resident.

To write in a resident, press the button in the "personal choice" column next to the ballot line that reads "No Nomination Made." A blinking green X will appear; type in the name of the resident on the keyboard, which will cause the name to appear on the panel. To cast the vote, press enter on the keyboard. 

Contrary to information previously given out by the board, there is not a minimum vote requirement for write-in candidates. The most votes wins.

DIANE SOBIN

• Personal: Sobin is a 14-year resident with a daughter at Ramapo High School. Her eldest daughter also went through the Wyckoff School System. She is a financial analyst and senior portfolio manager with Columbia Management, a division of Bank of America.
• Activities: Sobin is co-chair of Friends of Wyckoff, a civic group that advocates for environmental initiatives, Smart Growth, historic preservation and other endeavors. She has mounted runs for Township Committee and has been active in the recreation programs while supporting the PTOs and Wyckoff Education Foundation.
• Why She's Running: Sobin believes her background as a financial professional can be an asset to the board as it deals with continued funding difficulties. She also feels that the board will be challenged to keep up the high quality of education while dealing with reduced or no state aid and more stringent budgeting requirements. "I wish to take a more active role in the school system and contribute to keeping our schools as strong as they are today, participate in improving where we can, and help lead Wyckoff schools through a very challenging fiscal environment," Sobin said.

THOMAS ROUSSEAU

• Personal: Rousseau is a retired teacher and 37-year resident whose three children all attended Wyckoff schools. He holds a master's degree in science and also has credits in administration and guidance. Rousseau served two terms on the school board in the 1980s.
• Activities: Rousseau has coached at various levels, including at Ramapo High School, has been a cubmaster, volunteers with Partners in Pride and is a parishioner of Grace United Methodist Church.
• Why He's Running: Rousseau also feels that he brings a unique perspective to the board after serving as both a teacher and board member. He was motivated to run after the recent spate of resignations and loss of state aid, feeling that the board could use his experience going forward. He has said he can help the board make difficult choices on funding while maintaining consistent educational quality. Rousseau also believes the board can do a better job at being transparent with the public so that it feels it has an active role in the board process.